Modern Day Graven Images


John King


In Exodus 20:23, God warned the Israelites, “Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.”


When we think of idolatry, we think of ancient people who would, literally, create their own gods. Physically, they would make objects of metal, stone, or wood and worship them. They would not just worship them, but assign to them great powers. The goddess Diana was assigned the power of fertility. The idol Poseidon was given power over the seas. However, where did such great powers exist? They only existed in the minds of the idol makers and worshippers. No power – whether great or small – existed outside of the idolater’s ability to surmise.


We ask ourselves, “How could these people – both ancient and modern – ever fall for such a trick of Satan?” Why could they not see the truth? Consider this. 


Is not modern man doing the same thing today? Today, man carves his gods out of doctrine and ideology. After carving these gods, he gives them powers. The homosexual has carved a god that justifies his or her sinful lifestyle. Many denominations have molded a god that cannot allow the saved to fall from grace. This list could go on and on. Such gods are created by man, and their powers exist only in the mind of man. Modern day denominationalism is nothing more than ancient idolatry with a new twist. However, like the ancient idolaters, the outcome will be the same. 


The apostle Paul says, in 1 Corinthians 6:9, “Be not deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God.”


Is it not amazing that man, in one way or other, has created his own gods that will accept all the sinful life styles mentioned above, yet, still allow him to enter heaven? Again, such power lives only in the mind of man, not in the mind of the only true and living GOD! -9137 Prunty Rd., Berea, WV 26327-7016.



Return to West Virginia Christian